Candidates, Project 21 Leaders
Call forthe End of Congress As We Know It

Applaud Six New
Attempts to Reform Legislature

Two Republican nominees for Congress, leaders of the African-American group
Project 21, are applauding efforts by some Members of Congress to return the
legislative branch to a citizens' legislature.

The proposals include:

A resolution introduced by Rep. Dan Burton (R-IN) deterring frivolous and
politically-motivated ethics inquiries by penalizing the Member who files any
such complaint;

A resolution introduced by Rep. Greg Ganske (R-IA) requiring House Members
to submit semi-annual reports of domestic and foreign trips paid for with
federal dollars, later to be published in the Congressional Record;

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Frank Riggs (R-CA) requiring Members to have
a legitimate excuse for missing any days Congress is in session and voting. If
the excuse is not legitimate, the Member will lose pay for days not worked;

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Gil Gutknecht (R-MN) ending government
matching of contributions to pension funds for Members of Congress after 12
years;

Legislation sponsored by John Shadegg (R-AZ) in the House and Spencer
Abraham (R-MI) in the Senate requiring all laws enacted by Congress to contain
a statement specifying the constitutional authority for the laws.

Legislation sponsored by Rep. Frank Riggs (R-CA) denying retirement
benefits to members convicted of a felony directly related to the performance
of official Congressional duties. Rep. Randy Tate (R-WA) has introduced a
similar bill which would deny retirement benefits to any Member convicted of
any felony. Tate's bill is also retroactive.

"In 1994, when voters elected a Republican Congress for the first time
in 40 years, they clearly wanted change," says Norman Reece, the
Republican nominee for California's Seventh Congressional District. "And
once they were elected, the Congress sought to satisfy their constituents.
They passed a law stating that Congress should be held accountable to the same
laws and regulations the rest of us are. They cut staff and perks. They did
all the little things to show the Congress of the United States is a
legislative body that is accountable to the people, not a House of Lords which
ignores the people. But there is still more to done. Some legislators know
this and I know this. We understand that America sought its independence from
England because it could no longer tolerate royal tyranny. I'm tired of a
group of people trying to govern our lives, and make decisions for us that we
can make ourselves. That's one of the reasons I'm running for office, and
that's one of the reasons I want to run Rep. George Miller (R-CA) out of
office."

"If Congress members really place their constituents above their own
self-interest, they won't object to forgoing their pensions after 12 years,"
says Deborah Wright, the Republican nominee for California's Ninth
Congressional District. "My opponent, Rep. Ron Dellums, is more
interested in accumulating pension funds than caring for what's in the best
interest of his district."

Project 21 is an African-American leadership group that promotes a
conservative viewpoint. For an interview with Deborah Wright or Norman Reece,
contact Arturo Silva at 202/543-4110 or by e-mail at [email protected] ###